Draconian Fisheries Closures

[IronNoggin]

Well worth the watch!!

https://www.facebook.com/robert.alco...5999435322307/

[eric]

Looking back in history, doesn't seem like any level of Government has done anything to change the course of this fishery collapse.
Kinda like the East Coast Cod fishery.
Governments on all levels deserve a kick in the groin...

[303savage]

Hmmm, I wonder if the salmon are being depleted in the salt water or are disappearing on their way to the spawning grounds.

[IronNoggin]

Something smells fishy

Nothing infuriates me more than when a politician claims to be "following the science" and then goes against it—when he/she claims to be fighting for the environment while at the same time cutting funding to the very programs that support it.

On Wednesday, May 1, I travelled to North Vancouver along with other Whistler and Squamish residents to attend a protest organized by Whistler local Dave Brown against the recent extensive closures of recreational salmon fisheries in our waters.
The turnout was beyond expectations with more than 200 supporters and multiple TV and radio crews in attendance in front of (federal) Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson's office.
Speakers representing recreational fishermen and women, charter companies and local businesses expressed their support for protecting salmon populations, but their dismay at the lack of science-based decisions and real action in addressing the issues.

As a former environmental scientist and a recreational fisherman, it was deeply frustrating to have our Liberal Fisheries Minister ignore his own department's science and make a decision to completely shut down retention of Chinook salmon on the majority of the South Coast of B.C. until July 31.
This decision will do little to protect the early Fraser Chinook populations of concern; Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) own DNA data shows recreational anglers catch 0.63 per cent of these Chinook stocks while there are numerous other healthy Chinook populations in our local waters, that should be open to retention.
This spring, the Chinook salmon fishing has been nothing short of spectacular prior to this closure. This closure is severely impacting B.C. coastal communities and business—the very people who care deeply about healthy salmon populations. This is a missed opportunity to put in place a concrete, funded plan that would actually help the Fraser River Chinook populations, rather than (only) giv(ing) the appearance of doing something.
Interestingly, the public fishery in B.C. is a $1.1-billion industry and the largest economic contributor of all the fisheries, supporting 9,000 jobs. However, we catch less than 15 per cent of halibut and 10 per cent of salmon coastwide, and less than four per cent of total fish harvested in B.C.
I want to see Fisheries Minister Wilkinson put into action a recovery plan for early Fraser Chinook that includes Chinook predator control, habitat protection and rehabilitation, key hatchery enhancement as well as adequate funding for fisheries officers and habitat staff.

Attacking recreational anglers under the guise of conservation is a thinly veiled attempt at gaining political favour that inflicts serious harm to the B.C. economy and coastal communities, does not enhance the early Fraser River Chinook salmon stocks and side steps the need to take real and meaningful action.

Be very wary when your elected officials claim to be "following the science."

Mark Steffens // Whistler

https://m.piquenewsmagazine.com/whis...t?oid=13827008

[ratherbefishin]

After doing nothing to enhance the salmon stocks ( the volunteers did that)You can be sure the Liberals weighed the consequences of losing a few votes by shutting down the recreational salmon fishery and decided the impact would be minimal.If Fraser River Chinook stocks were in jeoprody,then shut down the whole river ....for EVERYBODY.And don’t talk about ‘leadership’ when you haven’t provided any..There was s an election this fall,and that’s the ONLY time politicians listen ,so DON’T waste your opportunity.Demand answers and VOTE,this idea of only 30 or 40 % vote turnout is rediclous

[tubby]

The Fraser salmon stocks seem to go missing between Steveston and Spuzzum.

[ratherbefishin]

If the FN themselves were concerned about ensuring chinook for their own future generations ,they would be voluntarily curtailing their subsistence fishery and stopping selling fish to non natives

[IronNoggin]

Two more in river Chinook FN openings for five days each just ending. Or are they?


https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/...nTimes-eng.htm

[NChunter]

https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-o...er-whales.html

Srkw closures just announced ��

[303savage]

The fisheries can shut down all the salmon fishing in the salt water and it won't do a damn bit of good if they don't control the native nets in the rivers. I'm pretty sure that the natives didn't have nylon nets or power boats before we came.